Sponsored by state Rep. Lindsay LaPointe, Senate Bill 1560 seeks to require public schools across the state to “offer age appropriate, confidential mental health screenings” that ultimately steer students in need toward the kind of support that could help. Across the state, about 27 percent of public schools now conduct universal screenings and another 40 percent do screenings on some level.
On it’s face, this should be good thing and has the hope of helping students through life pressures and challenges and perhaps helping kids. But, knowing what we know about Illinois, our minds wander to the reality. This certainly could require each and every district to hire a battery/army of counselors to administer such tests and work with students and then a bloated administration and a $250K PhD director to over see the counselors and the process. Then of course they will need to attend a few conferences and education sessions, perhaps in Vegas or Fort Lauderdale during school break… Read more »
Fed Up Taxpayer
11 months ago
So they will do the tests, and of course, hypothetically, determine the kids are the wrong gender. Then send them for sex reassignment surgery. All without telling the parents. No thank you Illinois. I don’t need weirdos telling my kids they have made up problems.
No need. They have negotiated for quality health care coverage and can seek their own doctor’s advice if needed.
ProzacPlease
11 months ago
27% of public schools conduct universal mental health screenings? Starting as young as 3rd grade? I guess this is the next step after everyone has a learning disability. The kids are all mentally ill! No wonder they can’t be taught! Give us more money.
David F
11 months ago
Do you think the elected representatives will show up to be evaluated?
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.
On it’s face, this should be good thing and has the hope of helping students through life pressures and challenges and perhaps helping kids. But, knowing what we know about Illinois, our minds wander to the reality. This certainly could require each and every district to hire a battery/army of counselors to administer such tests and work with students and then a bloated administration and a $250K PhD director to over see the counselors and the process. Then of course they will need to attend a few conferences and education sessions, perhaps in Vegas or Fort Lauderdale during school break… Read more »
So they will do the tests, and of course, hypothetically, determine the kids are the wrong gender. Then send them for sex reassignment surgery. All without telling the parents. No thank you Illinois. I don’t need weirdos telling my kids they have made up problems.
Maybe teachers and principals need this more.
No need. They have negotiated for quality health care coverage and can seek their own doctor’s advice if needed.
27% of public schools conduct universal mental health screenings? Starting as young as 3rd grade? I guess this is the next step after everyone has a learning disability. The kids are all mentally ill! No wonder they can’t be taught! Give us more money.
Do you think the elected representatives will show up to be evaluated?